Hoka’s Answer to a Cult Salomon Sneaker Gets Its Most Streamlined Look Yet

Like the XT-6, the trail-born Mafate Speed 2 looks best on city streets.

Close-up of a black athletic shoe with textured sole and mesh upper, showing "XL-ITW" and "MADE IN JAPAN" text.

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Jack Seemer

Published May 4, 2026

·

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Like the XT-6 before it, Hoka’s Mafate Speed 2 found its stride on concrete.

The model first came out in 2019, positioned then as technical trail shoe with copious amounts of cushioning,

Black trail running shoe with thick sole, mesh and synthetic upper, and Vibram outsole. — The Mafate Speed 2 debuted nearly a decade ago, then positioned as a technical trail runner.

However, it now carries on as an alternative to Salomon’s iconic crossover sneaker, with up to a dozen colorways to satisfy the urban gorpcore crowd.

They’ll probably like Hoka’s new collaboration with the Seoul-based brand Xlim.

Pair of black Hoka XLT running shoes with gray laces viewed from above on a white background. — South Korean brand Xlim equips the Mafate Speed 2 with hairy, long-pile suede panels.

Trail chops, street style

For their inaugural partnership, the two brands reimagined the Mafate Speed 2 with long-pile suede that contrasts with ripstop and jacquard mesh paneling.

Pair of black athletic shoes shown from the back with textured soles and padded collars. — The model also features traditional ripstop.

Black trail running shoe with thick textured sole and mesh panels. — The shoe features a midsole constructed from CMEVA foam.

The shoe also comes in a stealthy all-black colorway, finished with vintage-inspired sidewall paint.

A low-profile silhouette keeps things feeling streamlined and modern, bridging the gap between retro styling and everyday wearability.

Black athletic shoe with mesh and synthetic overlays, gray midsole, and Vibram outsole. — Xlim gave the sidewall of the midsole a vintage-inspired paint job.

That said, the shoe retains its technical DNA from those early trail days.

A compression-molded EVA midsole pairs with a Vibram Megagrip outsole for reliable comfort and traction fit for a range of surfaces.

Black rugged shoe soles with deep treads and yellow Vibram logos in the center. — Hoka and Xlim retained the Vibram Megagrip outsole of the original.

Availability and pricing

The Hoka x Xlim Mafate Speed 2 is available now in select markets, such as Japan, where it carries a price tag of 27,500 Japanese yen (approximately $175). For now, a US rollout remains TBD.

Hoka

Hoka x Xlim Mafate Speed 2

Learn More

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.